Kindness: Keeping It Real.
“Kindness,” said Pastor Rick Warren, “is love in action.”
1 John 4:16 says, “So we have come to know and believe God has love for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.” God is love; He is intentional, fulfilling, and steady. Love sent his innocent son to die on the cross, a punishment meant for the guilty; to be punished for their sins, all because of unconditional love. Jesus loves all and acted, demonstrating his kindness.
The American Psychological Association explains, “Kindness is benevolent and helpful action intentionally directed toward another person. It is often considered to be motivated by the desire to help another, not to gain explicit reward or to avoid explicit punishment.” The frequently quoted golden rule states, “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” – Matthew 7:12. Everyone wants to be treated fairly, but what does that mean, exactly?
Let’s break it down:
You are Noticed
Acknowledged and accepted, without needing to hide or hold back – that’s what it means to be seen. The need to be noticed is crucial among humans, especially since society thrives on likes and comments on social media (HumanAmplified, para. 11). A quick fix of dopamine from scrolling on social media doesn’t replace real connection. Being seen can come from creating something like poetry, paintings, or even cooking. Connection comes from the mutual effort of close, or possibly superficial, relationships. When it comes to commitment to relationships, be present, be patient, and be persistent.
You are Understood
Listen to understand instead of hearing to reply. Focus on what the speaker is saying versus being wrapped in your thoughts. When someone is talking, instead of sharing a common experience, therefore shifting the conversation to you, simply stay quiet and hear them out. A study conducted by Dr. Albert Mehrabian at UCLA examined the extent to which emotional messages are conveyed through words, tone, and body language. Dr. Mehrabian found: 7% of meaning is in the words that are spoken, 38% of meaning is in the tone of voice—the way the words are said, and 55% of meaning is in facial expression (LeaderChat, para. 5). Hear someone by paying attention, not only hearing what they say.
You are Valued
Author Esther Lederer, also known as Ann Landers, writes, “Love is friendship that has caught fire. It is quiet, understanding, confident, sharing, and forgiving. Love is loyalty through good and bad times. It settles for less than perfection and makes allowances for human weaknesses.” This is what it means to be genuinely loved. Similarly, 2 Corinthians 12:9 says, “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” Love is valuing others, and kindness is acting in love.
Noticed, Understood, and Valued – at Echoing Hills
Echoing Hills exists to create opportunities for individuals with disabilities to know and experience Jesus Christ. The individuals we serve are accepted for their differences, heard in their opinions, and valued for who they are. Our ministry seeks to embrace imperfections, providing quality care to all. We’re here for you.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rH6RKJOgHz0
https://dictionary.apa.org/kindness
https://humanamplified.com/blog/the-healing-power-of-seeing-and-being-seen
https://www.jsu.edu/counseling/listen.html#:~:text=Sure%2C%20sometimes%20we%20want%20to,than%20on%20our%20own%20thoughts.
https://leaderchat.org/2013/08/08/what-does-it-mean-to-really-listen/
